Clinicopathological analysis of cervical cancer seen in a tertiary health facility in Nnewi, south-east Nigeria

Abstract

Cervical cancer remains the commonest gynaecological cancer among women in the developing countries. The records of all the histologically confirmed cervical cancer patients managed in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, over a 5 year period were analysed for the clinical presentation and histological pattern of the malignancy. A total of 75 cases of cervical cancer were managed over the period giving an incidence of 65.2% of all gynaecological cancers and 13.4% of all gynaecological admissions. The majority of the patients were grandmultiparous women (81.3%) with a mean parity of 6.8. The modal age range was 60-69 years (38.7%) and the majority (94.7%) of the patients belonged to the low socioeconomic class. Squamous cell carcinoma of varying differentiation (89.3%) was the commonest histological type seen and adenocarcinoma accounted for only 8.0%. The common clinical features were post-menopausal bleeding (84.0%), vaginal discharge (72.0%), contact bleeding (63.9%) and abdominal pain (56.2%). Most (89.3%) of the patients presented late, in advanced stages of the disease, and almost all (97.3%) were referred for radiotherapy. The incidence of cervical cancer is high in our environment. Community sensitisation and provision of free cervical screening is recommended for early detection and treatment.

Cervical cancer survival in a resource-limited setting-North Central Nigeria

“…This finding of late presentation is consistent with a study done in Lagos, Nigeria which found that less than 10 % of cervical cancer patients presented at operable stages with the majority presenting with advanced disease [11]. Similarly, a clinico-pathological analysis of cervical cancer seen in a tertiary health facility in south-eastern Nigeria found that 89.3 % of the patients presented at advanced stages [12]. Other related studies in northern Nigerian settings have documented advanced disease at presentation in 66 %–81 % of cervical cancer patients [13, 14].…”

A Six-Year Study of the Clinical Presentation of Cervical Cancer and the Management Challenges Encountered at a State Teaching Hospital in Southeast Nigeria

“…Offensive vaginal discharge and weight loss were two other presenting complaints that occurred in about 40.0% of the cases in this study. Both of these complaints have been report with varying frequencies in association with cervical cancer 11,13–16,19…”

“…Should every case of abnormal vaginal bleeding be promptly investigated, cervical cancers would be diagnosed in early stages, at a time when there could be hopes of cure. However, due to the amalgamation of illiteracy, poverty, ignorance, non-utilization of screening services, and a host of others factors particular to the underserved in the poor rural communities of southeast Nigeria, the majority of the women present in late stage disease 11,13,15,16,19. Offensive vaginal discharge and weight loss were two other presenting complaints that occurred in about 40.0% of the cases in this study.…”

“…Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in females and the most common female genital tract cancer, constituting about 62.3%–70.5% of all gynecological cancers 11–14. Literature reveals a peak mean age incidence range of 43.5–59.7 years,12–19 endorsing the assertion that women are afflicted at an age in life when they are critical to social and economic stability 6.…”

Why Southeastern Nigerian Women Who Are Aware of Cervical Cancer Screening Do Not Go for Cervical Cancer Screening

“…The average Nigerian woman seeks medical attention only when symptoms develop and usually long after the onset of symptoms. 11 This is more so when the sexual organs are involved. Many respondents complained that they fear the test will violate their privacy.…”